In all of these enabling environments I’ve visited for this series, the appearance was of far less importance than their offer. With my professional background in landscape architecture, I’ve long railed against the dull, ugly, poor-quality, characterless playgrounds that transmit clear messages to children about how we as a society value their needs and rights. But an attractive and compelling space for children isn’t supposed to be like a show garden, it should be a place of irresistible temptations – to touch, feel, smell, climb, test, grab, hide in, jump over, collect and create.
If you are a small nursery with a limited outdoor area, take advice from Kids Planet Stretton. ‘Look at what excites the children; have as much nature as possible – even if your outdoor area is fairly small like ours, a few pots with plants and herbs can make a huge difference.’
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
